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Yes, YEG is very much a regional airport these days. A glance at their flight board is indicative of such. In comparison, YYC offers a strong breadth of USA direct flights and has been building out their international direct ( Frankfurt, London, Mexico City, Tokyo, Beijing, etc.) with success. What I don't get is why Edmonton metro with only a couple hundred thousand less people than Calgary metro is so subservient to them and is relegated to a feeder airport for Calgary for pretty much everything, including to places in Western Canada. If anything Edmonton should be a focus city in its own right and act as a conduit for Northern Alberta to a broader array of destinations direct.

Originally Posted by Rocket252

do not be concerned about YYC - they will be fine. It’s YEG that’s in trouble.

I agree with your comments. The only correction I would add is that the Calgary metro area is only about 80K larger than Edmonton. That is what frustrates me the most about the airport situation. We are basically the same size.

Pretty tough for YEG to recover as both major national airlines have their hub and feeder business models firmly entrenched and international carriers are just reinforng that model by their route decisions.

MONTREAL, Nov. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - Air Canada today announced several new non-stop year-round transborder routes will begin Spring 2018 from Toronto, Montreal, Edmonton and Vancouver. All new flights are now available for purchase.

"We continue to strategically expand our already extensive North American transborder network to offer the only services from Canada to Sacramento, Omaha, Providence, and flights from additional Canadian airports to Baltimore, Pittsburgh and San Francisco," said Benjamin Smith, President, Passenger Airlines at Air Canada. "As the largest foreign carrier serving the USA, we are pleased to offer customers even more non-stop travel choices between Canada and the US, as well as the ability to conveniently connect onward through our extensive global network at our Canadian hubs on North America's Best Airline as rated by Skytrax."All flights are timed to connect conveniently with Air Canada's global schedule, and provide for Aeroplan accumulation and redemption, Star Alliance reciprocal benefits, and for eligible customers, priority check-in, Maple Leaf Lounge access at mainline Canadian airports, priority boarding and other benefits.

Vancouver-Sacramento

Daily

May 17, 2018

Year-round

Air Canada Express 76
seat CRJ-705/900

Edmonton-San Francisco

Daily

May 1, 2018

Year-round

Air Canada Express 76
seat CRJ-705/900

Toronto-Omaha

Daily

May 1, 2018

Year-round

Air Canada Express 50-
seat CRJ

Toronto-Providence

Daily

May 17, 2018

Summer seasonal

Air Canada Express 50-
seat CRJ

Montreal-Baltimore

Daily

May 17, 2018

Year-round

Air Canada Express 50-
seat CRJ

Montreal-Pittsburgh

Daily

May 17, 2018

Year-round

Air Canada Express 50-
seat CRJ

Today's new routes complement Air Canada's previously announced new non-stop international services beginning 2018: Vancouver-Paris; Vancouver-Zurich; Vancouver-Melbourne, originally planned as winter seasonal now operating year-round starting June; Toronto-Shannon, Toronto-Zagreb; Toronto-Porto; Toronto-Bucharest; Toronto-Buenos Aires; Montreal-Tokyo-Narita; Montreal-Dublin; Montreal-Bucharest; and Montreal-Lisbon.About Air Canada
Air Canada is Canada's largest domestic and international airline serving more than 200 airports on six continents. Canada's flag carrier is among the 20 largest airlines in the world and in 2016 served close to 45 million customers. Air Canada provides scheduled passenger service directly to 64 airports in Canada, 60 in the United States and 98 in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America and South America. Air Canada is a founding member of Star Alliance, the world's most comprehensive air transportation network serving 1,300 airports in 191 countries. Air Canada is the only international network carrier in North America to receive a Four-Star ranking according to independent U.K. research firm Skytrax, which also named Air Canada the 2017 Best Airline in North America. For more information, please visit: www.aircanada.com, follow @AirCanada on Twitter and join Air Canada on Facebook.SOURCE Air CanadaRelated Links

Pretty tough for YEG to recover as both major national airlines have their hub and feeder business models firmly entrenched and international carriers are just reinforng that model by their route decisions.

I agree with your comments. The only correction I would add is that the Calgary metro area is only about 80K larger than Edmonton. That is what frustrates me the most about the airport situation. We are basically the same size.

What frustrates me is every one who connects anywhere ex-YYC when they start in YEG.

Very interesting about SFO with AC. For some reason in my head i had thought if AC was to rejoin the trans-border market from YEG it would have operated Chicago or LAX to start. SFO is great option as well and a route we didn't have at the moment.

I agree with your comments. The only correction I would add is that the Calgary metro area is only about 80K larger than Edmonton. That is what frustrates me the most about the airport situation. We are basically the same size.

It's not as simple as comparing metro populations though. What makes money for the airlines is when passengers are willing to pay for first-class or business-class fares, and also when they are willing to pay more for a seat because they are buying it at the last minute. All of those scenarios happen more frequently with business travel than leisure travel. Given the number of head offices and national offices located in Calgary, I think it's safe to say that the airlines generate a lot more profit margin from the average Calgarian flier than they do from the average Edmontonian. So the Calgary market gets catered to.

Interesting from Air Canada and in my view indication of a new strategy at EIA courtesy former YHZ CEO Tom Ruth.

Less aggressive route incentives for foreign carriers (evidenced by no Interjet MEX flight among others), with the aim of boosting yields on AC/WS and encouraging AC/WS to add routes slowly and surely.

I wouldn't be surprised if this is part of the strategy Ruth used at Halifax considering Halifax's relatively significant AC network. We will see if this leads anywhere here at YEG.

I agree with your comments. The only correction I would add is that the Calgary metro area is only about 80K larger than Edmonton. That is what frustrates me the most about the airport situation. We are basically the same size.

It's not as simple as comparing metro populations though. What makes money for the airlines is when passengers are willing to pay for first-class or business-class fares, and also when they are willing to pay more for a seat because they are buying it at the last minute. All of those scenarios happen more frequently with business travel than leisure travel. Given the number of head offices and national offices located in Calgary, I think it's safe to say that the airlines generate a lot more profit margin from the average Calgarian flier than they do from the average Edmontonian. So the Calgary market gets catered to.

The facts of the latest Census show the difference in Calgary and Edmonton jobs by industry. And the professional and engineering jobs numbers of Calgary over Edmonton are not large enough to warrant the spread in business seats that you are suggesting. Edmonton has strengths as well. Calgary is strong because PWA were moved there and out of all the ashes we see WestJet emerge at YYC with its major HUB. Another airline could be established at YEG and grow and disrupt the market and build a significant major HUB at YEG. It’s about investment and perhaps some passion.

I agree with your comments. The only correction I would add is that the Calgary metro area is only about 80K larger than Edmonton. That is what frustrates me the most about the airport situation. We are basically the same size.

It's not as simple as comparing metro populations though. What makes money for the airlines is when passengers are willing to pay for first-class or business-class fares, and also when they are willing to pay more for a seat because they are buying it at the last minute. All of those scenarios happen more frequently with business travel than leisure travel. Given the number of head offices and national offices located in Calgary, I think it's safe to say that the airlines generate a lot more profit margin from the average Calgarian flier than they do from the average Edmontonian. So the Calgary market gets catered to.

The facts of the latest Census show the difference in Calgary and Edmonton jobs by industry. And the professional and engineering jobs numbers of Calgary over Edmonton are not large enough to warrant the spread in business seats that you are suggesting. Edmonton has strengths as well. Calgary is strong because PWA were moved there and out of all the ashes we see WestJet emerge at YYC with its major HUB. Another airline could be established at YEG and grow and disrupt the market and build a significant major HUB at YEG. It’s about investment and perhaps some passion.

PWA moving was a tragedy that was inflicted on Edmonton by Peter Lougheed using government funds to move it while the Edmonton business community did nothing - much the same as many members of the business community complain all the time but still connect ex-YYC .....

PWA moving was a tragedy that was inflicted on Edmonton by Peter Lougheed using government funds to move it while the Edmonton business community did nothing - much the same as many members of the business community complain all the time but still connect ex-YYC .....

I was told, back in the day, that when PWA management was asked- responded that a city with one versus two airports made fopr a better headquarters.

PWA moving was a tragedy that was inflicted on Edmonton by Peter Lougheed using government funds to move it while the Edmonton business community did nothing - much the same as many members of the business community complain all the time but still connect ex-YYC .....

I was told, back in the day, that when PWA management was asked- responded that a city with one versus two airports made fopr a better headquarters.

This problem obviously goes a long ways back. I have a feeling Lougheed was looking to give something to Calgary at the time and would have probably moved it anyways. As I recall, after the EdTel debacle in the early 80's (that was Lougheed sticking it to this city also) voters here started to tire of the PC's and sent them a stern message.

I wish our business community could stand up for our city a bit more on this issue and send the airlines a strong message too. I realize the airlines can be a bit inflexible, but in the end customers do actually have some clout, perhaps more than they realize.

Good question. Maybe 10, 15 or 20 of Edmonton's largest airline customers call the Presidents of Air Canada and Westjet and say we need better service.

If no meeting, a nicely but firmly worded letter published in a newspaper or two (or three) might get the message across. It would need to be a united/coordinated effort, so probably something the city would need to be involved in. I don't know if this would actually happen (I think the big corporate types may be chickens), but after years of whining it might be time to step things up a bit.

Thank you Air Canada! Wow I never thought I would ever say that.
Seriously though, we have to use these flights for the airlines to give us more. There are very few things that bother me more than Edmontonians who connect in Calgary.

I agree with your comments. The only correction I would add is that the Calgary metro area is only about 80K larger than Edmonton. That is what frustrates me the most about the airport situation. We are basically the same size.

It's not as simple as comparing metro populations though. What makes money for the airlines is when passengers are willing to pay for first-class or business-class fares, and also when they are willing to pay more for a seat because they are buying it at the last minute. All of those scenarios happen more frequently with business travel than leisure travel. Given the number of head offices and national offices located in Calgary, I think it's safe to say that the airlines generate a lot more profit margin from the average Calgarian flier than they do from the average Edmontonian. So the Calgary market gets catered to.

The facts of the latest Census show the difference in Calgary and Edmonton jobs by industry. And the professional and engineering jobs numbers of Calgary over Edmonton are not large enough to warrant the spread in business seats that you are suggesting. Edmonton has strengths as well. Calgary is strong because PWA were moved there and out of all the ashes we see WestJet emerge at YYC with its major HUB. Another airline could be established at YEG and grow and disrupt the market and build a significant major HUB at YEG. It’s about investment and perhaps some passion.

PWA moving was a tragedy that was inflicted on Edmonton by Peter Lougheed using government funds to move it while the Edmonton business community did nothing - much the same as many members of the business community complain all the time but still connect ex-YYC .....

And they built a maintenance hanger at YXD to ensure that it would remain open.

“Canada is the only country in the world that knows how to live without an identity,”-Marshall McLuhan

There are airlines chomping at the bit to have more presence in Canada but the Feds won't allow them. If we could get past that maybe Edmonton could be a hub for say Emirates or Cathay Pacific or any number of possibilities. Our location would be very good for Europe to Western USA. Asia to USA or Europe etc etc.

There are airlines chomping at the bit to have more presence in Canada but the Feds won't allow them. If we could get past that maybe Edmonton could be a hub for say Emirates or Cathay Pacific or any number of possibilities. Our location would be very good for Europe to Western USA. Asia to USA or Europe etc etc.

It has never made sense for someone from Edmonton to fly south, wait, perhaps transfer planes and then fly back over Edmonton to go to Europe.

It would make much more sense if the Europe flights originated south of Edmonton, stopped here and then continued on, but somehow that seems to much to ask - perhaps time is more precious for Calgarians than for us. More, likely the Canadian airlines have never really thought it through very well and don't realize it makes sense.

I wish I could say large corporations were infinitely wise, but that is obviously not the case as one of the airlines had a previous experience with bankruptcy. Sometimes it takes the customers clearly and strongly pointing out the absurdity of things and some persistence to get corporations to go beyond their "well we have always done it this way and it seems to work for us" mentality.

If we don't stand up for ourselves, guess what - no one else likely will.

NAFTA Airlines

WestJet CEO Gregg Saretsky has already signaled an interest in using the prospective Delta-WestJet JV as a door to cooperation with Aeromexico (and other Delta global partners, for that matter). Aeromexico is 36%-owned by Delta, which effectively added Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara to its North American hub network of Atlanta, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York JFK, Salt Lake City and Seattle when it launched the US-Mexico transborder JV. WestJet, with its roots as a point-to-point LCC, is just starting to develop a hub-and-spoke network fueled in part by feeder traffic from its WestJet Encore regional subsidiary.If the WestJet-Delta JV launches in 2019 as planned, Delta will at least add WestJet-base Calgary to its hub network. But Canada’s second-biggest airline, which will start taking delivery of Boeing 787-9s in 2019 and has its eyes on transpacific flights to China, surely will continue to build its presence across Canada, including in Vancouver and Toronto.http://m.atwonline.com/blog/nafta-airlines

“Canada is the only country in the world that knows how to live without an identity,”-Marshall McLuhan

United is looking to grow pretty rapidly over the next couple years. We will have to wait and see, but United was a much bigger player at YEG once upon a time. Maybe this is the thing that gets us some routes back (Chicago).

United is looking to grow pretty rapidly over the next couple years. We will have to wait and see, but United was a much bigger player at YEG once upon a time. Maybe this is the thing that gets us some routes back (Chicago).

It would make sense that we would eventually see the Embraer 175 on the flights to and from Seattle. The seat count is the same on these two aircraft but the Q400 is a little more cramped, doesn't have the premium product, and is of course a bit slower. Maybe something to look forward to?

Going to try out the KLM flight to Amsterdam this year. Then a 24 hr layover and on to Johannesburg. Anybody flown with KLM able to tell me how it is?

Went with KLM last year to Amsterdam. They were on time and I made my connection flight. Service was just fine but then I'm not a particularly demanding passenger. I'm not tall either and I felt very cramped, leg wise and seat wise. That was the least room I had every had on a plane. I feel real sorry for tall people who have to endure cramped spaces like that. The plane seemed old and a bit shabby. It got all it's passengers there in one piece so that's the main thing. While waiting for my connecting flight in an older part of the airport there was just this gawd awful stench. A lady I set next to while waiting for my plane said she fly's from that area about once every 3 month and it's the first time she had been there when there was a smell. I was pretty overpowering, like a sewer. Would I fly with them again?. If I were to compare the KLM plane to the last long distance plane I flew (Air Canada) I would pick Air Canada hands down. Plane more modern, more room, just all round more comfortable.

My wife's returning on March 21, via Icelandair. Dunno if that's the first day of service, but it was literally the first day where a 1-stop flight itinerary from Stockholm was available when we were booking her ticket at the beginning of the month.

Hopefully this is the last or second last round trip we need to buy for her.

Giving less of a damn than ever… Can't laugh at the ignorant if you ignore them!

Edmonton's largest airline continues to provide region with the most seats, flights and destinations

CALGARY, Jan. 29, 2018 /CNW/ - WestJet today announced that it has again enhanced its schedule and connectivity out of Edmonton International Airport (EIA) to key business and leisure destinations in Canada and the U.S., adding 23 weekly flights."WestJet continues to invest in Edmonton and Northern Alberta with increased service, connectivity and frequencies," said Brian Znotins, WestJet Vice-President, Network Planning, Alliances and Corporate Development. "As the largest airline flying out of EIA, we are providing schedules to key business destinations like Calgary and Fort McMurray while giving local leisure travellers the opportunity to visit destinations like Las Vegas on a schedule that fits their own."Details of WestJet's increased service from Edmonton:

Edmonton-Calgary, from 77 to 86 times weekly (12 times each business day).

Edmonton-Vancouver, from 49 to 58 times weekly (nine times each business day).

Edmonton-Kelowna, from 48 to 49 times weekly (seven times daily).

Edmonton-Fort McMurray, from 24 to 25 times weekly.

Edmonton-Saskatoon, from 19 to 20 times weekly.

Edmonton-Las Vegas, from 10 to 11 times weekly.

Edmonton-Los Angeles from six to seven times weekly (once daily).

This summer, WestJet will operate an average of 62 daily flights from Edmonton International Airport. In the past 10 years, WestJet has increased capacity out of EIA by 52 per cent and now accounts for 73 per cent of the capacity out of the city, measured in available seat miles."The increase in number of non-stop flights per week between Edmonton and these select markets is great news for EIA and our passengers," said Tom Ruth, President and CEO, Edmonton International Airport. "WestJet continues to show leadership in air service offerings in Edmonton, and we are proud to grow as partners together."

Edmonton's largest airline continues to provide region with the most seats, flights and destinations

CALGARY, Jan. 29, 2018 /CNW/ - WestJet today announced that it has again enhanced its schedule and connectivity out of Edmonton International Airport (EIA) to key business and leisure destinations in Canada and the U.S., adding 23 weekly flights."WestJet continues to invest in Edmonton and Northern Alberta with increased service, connectivity and frequencies," said Brian Znotins, WestJet Vice-President, Network Planning, Alliances and Corporate Development. "As the largest airline flying out of EIA, we are providing schedules to key business destinations like Calgary and Fort McMurray while giving local leisure travellers the opportunity to visit destinations like Las Vegas on a schedule that fits their own."Details of WestJet's increased service from Edmonton:

Edmonton-Calgary, from 77 to 86 times weekly (12 times each business day).

Edmonton-Vancouver, from 49 to 58 times weekly (nine times each business day).

Edmonton-Kelowna, from 48 to 49 times weekly (seven times daily).

Edmonton-Fort McMurray, from 24 to 25 times weekly.

Edmonton-Saskatoon, from 19 to 20 times weekly.

Edmonton-Las Vegas, from 10 to 11 times weekly.

Edmonton-Los Angeles from six to seven times weekly (once daily).

This summer, WestJet will operate an average of 62 daily flights from Edmonton International Airport. In the past 10 years, WestJet has increased capacity out of EIA by 52 per cent and now accounts for 73 per cent of the capacity out of the city, measured in available seat miles."The increase in number of non-stop flights per week between Edmonton and these select markets is great news for EIA and our passengers," said Tom Ruth, President and CEO, Edmonton International Airport. "WestJet continues to show leadership in air service offerings in Edmonton, and we are proud to grow as partners together."

Asia would be nice. My wife flies out to SGN through NRT in a few days to see the family. Of course it's all the rigamarole through YVR again. It's that or drive her to Calgary where YYC of course has direct non stop flights to NRT and PEK. With our populations being close, CMA 2016- Calgary 1,392,000 Edmonton 1,321,000, how did we end up being second fiddle, we are the Capital after all. Now that's a long story. I wonder if Westjet has noted how many customers on those flights to YVR continue on to Asia and beyond. It must be a large percentage. Direct non stop to Asia could cut down on a lot of flights to YVR and some to YYC. That would lower their numbers slightly though. It's gotta happen soon, ever notice how many Asians there are now? I'm not a fan of coming through YVR as I've had an occasional issue there, even been strip/cavity searched. Talking to a pilot afterward he said very many people were that day for some reason. Now that was a pain in the a s s. Turned me off to going so I'm just staying home, Sonny Boy and I. She can go by herself. I think she prefers that anyway, doesn't have to worry about dragging us guys around over there. They will be celebrating their new year. I'm sure hoping for a non stop flight out of here soon. I told her next time go through YYC and we'll just drive her down. If you can't lick em join em I guess.

To me whether it's the Westjet frequency announcements or the AC new routes. Flair and the ULCC threat has a lot to do with this to the benefit of YEG. Not only will Flair be serving us well but it's forcing the other players to throw more non-stops our way.

Edmonton's largest airline continues to provide region with the most seats, flights and destinations

CALGARY, Jan. 29, 2018 /CNW/ - WestJet today announced that it has again enhanced its schedule and connectivity out of Edmonton International Airport (EIA) to key business and leisure destinations in Canada and the U.S., adding 23 weekly flights."WestJet continues to invest in Edmonton and Northern Alberta with increased service, connectivity and frequencies," said Brian Znotins, WestJet Vice-President, Network Planning, Alliances and Corporate Development. "As the largest airline flying out of EIA, we are providing schedules to key business destinations like Calgary and Fort McMurray while giving local leisure travellers the opportunity to visit destinations like Las Vegas on a schedule that fits their own."Details of WestJet's increased service from Edmonton:

Edmonton-Calgary, from 77 to 86 times weekly (12 times each business day).

Edmonton-Vancouver, from 49 to 58 times weekly (nine times each business day).

Edmonton-Kelowna, from 48 to 49 times weekly (seven times daily).

Edmonton-Fort McMurray, from 24 to 25 times weekly.

Edmonton-Saskatoon, from 19 to 20 times weekly.

Edmonton-Las Vegas, from 10 to 11 times weekly.

Edmonton-Los Angeles from six to seven times weekly (once daily).

This summer, WestJet will operate an average of 62 daily flights from Edmonton International Airport. In the past 10 years, WestJet has increased capacity out of EIA by 52 per cent and now accounts for 73 per cent of the capacity out of the city, measured in available seat miles."The increase in number of non-stop flights per week between Edmonton and these select markets is great news for EIA and our passengers," said Tom Ruth, President and CEO, Edmonton International Airport. "WestJet continues to show leadership in air service offerings in Edmonton, and we are proud to grow as partners together."

Fingers crossed that once the WestJet 787s arrive Edmonton will get one for an international flight to somewhere.

The modest increase in Fort McMurray flights is not that impressive - I think Calgary has now leap frogged ahead of Edmonton on this route, but the increase to Vancouver, Las Vegas and Los Angeles is good.

Asia would be nice. My wife flies out to SGN through NRT in a few days to see the family. Of course it's all the rigamarole through YVR again. It's that or drive her to Calgary where YYC of course has direct non stop flights to NRT and PEK. With our populations being close, CMA 2016- Calgary 1,392,000 Edmonton 1,321,000, how did we end up being second fiddle, we are the Capital after all. Now that's a long story. I wonder if Westjet has noted how many customers on those flights to YVR continue on to Asia and beyond. It must be a large percentage. Direct non stop to Asia could cut down on a lot of flights to YVR and some to YYC. That would lower their numbers slightly though. It's gotta happen soon, ever notice how many Asians there are now? I'm not a fan of coming through YVR as I've had an occasional issue there, even been strip/cavity searched. Talking to a pilot afterward he said very many people were that day for some reason. Now that was a pain in the a s s. Turned me off to going so I'm just staying home, Sonny Boy and I. She can go by herself. I think she prefers that anyway, doesn't have to worry about dragging us guys around over there. They will be celebrating their new year. I'm sure hoping for a non stop flight out of here soon. I told her next time go through YYC and we'll just drive her down. If you can't lick em join em I guess.

I can't imagine very many Edmontonians on the flights to Calgary are just flying there as the final destination. With security and all that, it's probably faster just to drive to Calgary. I am sure they are chock full of people going there to get connecting flights. It's always disappointing to see flights added to Calgary, it shows the airlines don't respect Edmonton much. Instead of adding more direct flights here as the market grows, they are still trying to funnel more through Calgary.

Asia would be nice. My wife flies out to SGN through NRT in a few days to see the family. Of course it's all the rigamarole through YVR again. It's that or drive her to Calgary where YYC of course has direct non stop flights to NRT and PEK. With our populations being close, CMA 2016- Calgary 1,392,000 Edmonton 1,321,000, how did we end up being second fiddle, we are the Capital after all. Now that's a long story. I wonder if Westjet has noted how many customers on those flights to YVR continue on to Asia and beyond. It must be a large percentage. Direct non stop to Asia could cut down on a lot of flights to YVR and some to YYC. That would lower their numbers slightly though. It's gotta happen soon, ever notice how many Asians there are now? I'm not a fan of coming through YVR as I've had an occasional issue there, even been strip/cavity searched. Talking to a pilot afterward he said very many people were that day for some reason. Now that was a pain in the a s s. Turned me off to going so I'm just staying home, Sonny Boy and I. She can go by herself. I think she prefers that anyway, doesn't have to worry about dragging us guys around over there. They will be celebrating their new year. I'm sure hoping for a non stop flight out of here soon. I told her next time go through YYC and we'll just drive her down. If you can't lick em join em I guess.

I can't imagine very many Edmontonians on the flights to Calgary are just flying there as the final destination. With security and all that, it's probably faster just to drive to Calgary. I am sure they are chock full of people going there to get connecting flights. It's always disappointing to see flights added to Calgary, it shows the airlines don't respect Edmonton much. Instead of adding more direct flights here as the market grows, they are still trying to funnel more through Calgary.

With respect to the Calgary flights, they're doing what makes sense for them financially, nothing more nothing less. The moment they think it's more profitable to offer direct flights they will. Indeed, they already are as evidenced by recent announcements.

Asia would be nice. My wife flies out to SGN through NRT in a few days to see the family. Of course it's all the rigamarole through YVR again. It's that or drive her to Calgary where YYC of course has direct non stop flights to NRT and PEK. With our populations being close, CMA 2016- Calgary 1,392,000 Edmonton 1,321,000, how did we end up being second fiddle, we are the Capital after all. Now that's a long story. I wonder if Westjet has noted how many customers on those flights to YVR continue on to Asia and beyond. It must be a large percentage. Direct non stop to Asia could cut down on a lot of flights to YVR and some to YYC. That would lower their numbers slightly though. It's gotta happen soon, ever notice how many Asians there are now? I'm not a fan of coming through YVR as I've had an occasional issue there, even been strip/cavity searched. Talking to a pilot afterward he said very many people were that day for some reason. Now that was a pain in the a s s. Turned me off to going so I'm just staying home, Sonny Boy and I. She can go by herself. I think she prefers that anyway, doesn't have to worry about dragging us guys around over there. They will be celebrating their new year. I'm sure hoping for a non stop flight out of here soon. I told her next time go through YYC and we'll just drive her down. If you can't lick em join em I guess.

I can't imagine very many Edmontonians on the flights to Calgary are just flying there as the final destination. With security and all that, it's probably faster just to drive to Calgary. I am sure they are chock full of people going there to get connecting flights. It's always disappointing to see flights added to Calgary, it shows the airlines don't respect Edmonton much. Instead of adding more direct flights here as the market grows, they are still trying to funnel more through Calgary.

With respect to the Calgary flights, they're doing what makes sense for them financially, nothing more nothing less. The moment they think it's more profitable to offer direct flights they will. Indeed, they already are as evidenced by recent announcements.

Oh yes, the almighty market - except the flaw with that argument is there is really very little competition. It is almost a monopoly.

Someone said something about Icelandair decreasing to four flights per week when they return and staying at that reduced level for the entire summer.

Not a bad outcome really - maintains the service while presumably improving profit for the airline. It's not really a reflection of the YEG market as much as it is a reflection of how rapidly Icelandair is expanding and the new route bump/subsidies they are seeing on many many routes. The YEG route is more mature and this level of service would seem to represent a continuing equilibrium without the new route incentives and novelty demand. Not to mention a bit of a bump in Europe yields for other airlines at YEG.

We been proving ourselves with this airline for how many decades now? The end result of it... a flight to Calgary. I gave up on them decades ago and wont come back to them. Why? A seasonal flight to Vegas. Dont we have that already? I dont want to share half a bone; i deserve a whole bone! Had this been a South America destination, my ears might have perked just a bit.

I'd just like to rant a bit about my recent experience shopping for convenient affordable flights from YEG.

So I'm planning a trip to South Africa this year and have been shopping airlines and connections. Obviously I've been looking for something affordable but also something practical (ie as few stops as possible). Here's the problem I've found, almost EVERY airline only offers 2 layovers and I hate layovers. The only one I've found with 1 layover is KLM. Which goes Edmonton to Amsterdam, then a 24 hr layover in Amsterdam, then Amsterdam to Johannesburg.

The issue is it's a little pricey. Luckily for me I have the means to afford this one but I can really see why some people fly through YYC. YYC has the same flight that YEG has but for something like $300 less. That said, I am purposefully avoiding anything to do with YYC and am more than willing to shell out a few extra hundred dollars to spend more time in Amsterdam and no time in Cowgary.

Most of the flights that I've looked at that have the 2 layovers have connections in YYC or other Canadian destinations. I've contemplated flying Edmonton to Seattle, Seattle to Atlanta, then Atlanta to Johannesburg. But I'm pretty sure I'm doing the KLM flight.

Anyways, sorry if this post is a waste of time. I just wanted to share my experience. It's a little frustrating that we keep getting shafted. It'd be nice if YEG could get a direct flight to New York or Atlanta so more options to far flung continents become available to us.

The only way to get a reasonable one-stop to JNB used to be via the direct to LHR, but without that you're sorta hooped, given how long the AMS layover is & our extremely scant direct international direct connections, along with the difficulty of accommodating your ideological crusade to avoid Calgary and/or Toronto.

Giving less of a damn than ever… Can't laugh at the ignorant if you ignore them!

I'd just like to rant a bit about my recent experience shopping for convenient affordable flights from YEG.

I hear you. I face similar challenges when traveling to non European international destinations and I have two kids under 10.
I've learnt it's better to do a 24 hour layover which allows the kids to rest in a hotel vs an 8 hour layover inside of an airport.

And yes, Calgary does have much better international connection times, options, and prices across the Atlantic and Pacific (the only exception is Scandinavian Europe where Icelandair gives YEG the edge).

The only way to get a reasonable one-stop to JNB used to be via the direct to LHR, but without that you're sorta hooped, given how long the AMS layover is & our extremely scant direct international direct connections, along with the difficulty of accommodating your ideological crusade to avoid Calgary and/or Toronto.

Lol I guess it is an ideological crusade. I could connect in Toronto but why do that when I can connect in an airport outside of Canada?

Lol I guess it is an ideological crusade. I could connect in Toronto but why do that when I can connect in an airport outside of Canada?

Because of your options being limited to either an in-Canada connection or the AMS 24 hour layover you griped about in the first place? It's not like you've got a plethora of direct international destinations that're conducive to flights onward to Africa, so you've either gotta suck it up & transfer in Canada or take the bullet & spend a day among the Dutch.

Giving less of a damn than ever… Can't laugh at the ignorant if you ignore them!

It is not direct nor 1 stop, but on our one and only trip to South Africa, we flew KLM to Amsterdam, then to Cape Town. I wonder what the internal flight connections would be from Cape Town to JNB? Maybe that would save you some time.

...you mean like economic impact, historic routing, propensity to buy bigger ticket seats, proximity to international tourism, proximity to a more business friendly climate, logistics and distribution channels....

Nah...can't be...

President and CEO - Edmonton Airshow. Soon to rebrand to something global.

That just goes to show how deep the vast anti-Edmonton conspiracy goes! Layers upon layers of people, organizations and businesses all conspiring to deny us our owed, deserved air connections that we are entitled to just by our mere existence!

Giving less of a damn than ever… Can't laugh at the ignorant if you ignore them!

Didn't take layers of people, organizations and businesses. It just took one premier with a vision to create a national head office centre. A premier who felt that there could only be one such centre in Alberta and picked his home town.

No point in beating a dead horse....I think this year's transatlantic program from YEG is awful. 15 or 20 years ago, we had a better service with Air Canada to LHR, Air Transat to FRA, LGW and Berlin, Martin Air to Amsterdam, and the occasional flights on several UK based charters to LGW as well.

Despite the increase in population and income, Trans-Atlantic flights from YEG have taken a set back. I think the EIA management has been trying, but we lack in-bound tourism and we lack major local corporations flying their staff in front of the cabin. And thus, YYC gets LHR flights on both AC, and BA; FRA on both AC and DE; daily to AMS; and other charter flights. In the meantime, we can't even keep Icelandair to fly year round or daily during the summer.

At the end it's about $$$. I have finally come to accept that our international market is much thinner from a yield perspective than I thought.

I would say it is better than 15-20 years ago as Air Canada was the only scheduled service, the rest when they did run were charters and lacked connections (if any). Flying in from LHR via YVR last night was brutal and reminded me why we try to fly FI and KLM when available. YEG needs to continue to work with carriers to improve what we have. For people coming from Europe and those of us in Business that require flights to Europe from Edmonton it is taxing and really shows why it is hard to do business in Edmonton on a Global level at times. I will say that BA really really needs to up their game, the product they produce for a International carrier is poor compared to even Air Canada.